Prison Ministry:
What It Really Means

Of course the word “ministry” comes from the word minister, which to most people simply means a preacher. But it is much more than that. Webster, in his dictionary, says it is “a person acting for another as his agent and carrying out his orders and designs.” This seems to fit pretty close, for Jesus said, “For I came down from heaven not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). In Hebrews 8:2, Christ is spoken of as a minister with reference to the holy services He had to perform as the great High Priest.

Again going to Webster, we find the verb “to minister” means “to attend, to serve, to supply.” Jesus declared, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). So, in prison ministry, we are first agents carrying out orders to the best of our abilities. “Go you therefore and teach all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). Then, too, in prison ministry, we must serve, attend and supply. Serving the Lord’s Supper to some, attending some who are ill, and supplying the Word of God to all who will accept. All this, however, must be done in Christian love.

Duties and Obligations

The more we are actively engaged in God’s work behind prison bars the more we find avenues of service opening up for us. The congregation of the Lord’s Church here in Vacaville, California, happens to be located in an area that contains a state prison. Therefore there are certain duties and obligations to Christ our Savior that cannot be swept under the carpet and conveniently forgotten.

Just what are these duties and obligations that Jesus has laid down before us?

(1) Doing our best for our wayward brethren that are locked up there - visitation - serving the Lord’s Supper -delivering the Christian message - providing strengthening literature - keeping in touch with their families and/or home congregation.

(2) Bringing the gospel message of salvation to others who come to our attention. It is truly wonderful how God opens the way for us in this endeavor.

(3) Visiting persons who are locked up and physically unable to attend classes and services.

(4) Informing other congregations that we have an ongoing prison ministry and requesting names of men they may know who are incarcerated here that we may contact them.

(5) Keeping in touch with men we have worked with, after their release or transfer to another institution. Upon their release most are returning to their old environment and old companions. We must not, we cannot give up on them!

The thing that becomes more and more evident, is that this is a ministry that truly involves most of the congregation. Of course we are taking it for granted that the Lord's people are always vitally interested in soul saving. How? First by prayers. James tells us that the prayers of the righteous are of great value and Paul says to pray without ceasing. Also by encouragement and by contributing financially to the entire program.

Choice

Choice, the power of the human mind and soul to choose between being what God wants us to be and what Satan wants us to do. But this choice is only ours when we truly know what God desires of his children. And every person has the right to learn and know the divine truth and make an intelligent choice. This pretty well sums up what we in the prison ministry are striving to present to people who have no other way of obtaining that truth. It is an easy and comfortable feeling to sit back and say that everybody has a choice.

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